Udon Entertainment Explained

Udon Entertainment Corp.
Founded:2000
Founders:
  • Erik Ko (Founder)
  • Matt Moylan (Director of Publishing)
Country:Canada
Headquarters:Richmond Hill, Ontario
Distribution:Diamond Book Distributors
Publications:Books
Topics:Art Books
Genre:Graphic Novels and Manga
Website:Official website

Udon Entertainment Corp. is a Canadian art studio and publisher.[1] The company publishes original and translated comic books, graphic novels, manga and art books related to anime and video games. It was founded in 2000 and is named after udon, a kind of Japanese noodle.

Overview

It was affiliated with Studio XD; in March 2004, Udon announced a partnership to release comics under Devil's Due Publishing.[2] Udon's first offering was the Street Fighter comic book series, launching in September 2003. They would add a Darkstalkers comic series to their line in November 2004. In October 2005, Udon reorganized its operations and became a full-fledged publisher. Erik Ko revealed that the lengthy break in the Summer of 2005 was to recover from a licensing deal with Capcom, which saw Udon doing artwork for Capcom Fighting Evolution.[3] Although Udon appreciated the opportunity to work on the game and to strengthen their ties with the video game maker, it taxed their resources and left them behind schedule on their comics. In October 2005, Udon released Street Fighter II #0, the sequel to their Street Fighter comic;[4] it was followed in early 2006 with the long-awaited launch of Rival Schools. Erik Ko discussed this in an interview with Newsarama that can be read here.[5]

In December 2007 at the New York Anime Festival, Udon announced that it would be publishing three new Street Fighter comic book series in 2008. These include Street Fighter II Turbo (12-issue series), Street Fighter Legends: Chun-Li (4-issue mini), and Street Fighter III (6-issue series).[6]

In November 2008, Udon announced it would publish a 4-issue mini-series of the upcoming Street Fighter IV game. “With the most anticipated Street Fighter game in years arriving 2009, we will be launching the ‘‘Street Fighter IV” comic series as a big crossover event with the game. That would mean the originally planned Street Fighter III series will have to make way and be released after this ‘‘Street Fighter IV” story arc is done,” said Ko. “We are working very closely with Capcom and the SFIV producer in Japan to make this comic series as exciting as possible. The stories from our comic are linked directly to the game, and it is a genuine extension that fans will definitely love. Also expect plenty of cross promotion and marketing between our comics and the game.”[7]

In January 2009, Udon announced it had acquired the rights to produce Final Fight comic books.[8] In November 2009, Udon announced it will continue the Darkstalkers comic series with a new 3-issue mini-series called Darkstalkers: The Night Warriors.[9] In December 2009, Udon announced it would publish a four-issue Street Fighter Legends: Ibuki miniseries.[10]

From 2012 to 2014, Udon partnered with Bandai Namco to produce several webcomics and webseries based on their various video game IP as part of their ShiftyLook initiative.

In July 2024, during San Diego Comic-Con, Udon and Capcom announced to gain the license to produce new Mega Man comics for 2025. Those comics will include the original series, alongside the X, Zero, ZX and Legends series, with the exeception of the Battle Network and Star Force series.[11]

Publishing

Comic books

Capcom Comic Book Universe

The Capcom Comic Book Universe (CCBU) is a comic book franchise developed by Udon, which is based on various Capcom franchises set inside a shared universe.

Other comic books

Imported titles

Dawn of Dreams

Art books

Anime & character art

Anime & Manga Character Sketchbook

Material Book

Video games

Artworks of Arland

Official Artworks

Official Complete Works

Design Works

Design Works

Graphic File

3142 Graphic Arts

Official Material Collection

Visual Art

Official Design Works

Official Art Book Volume I

Official Art Book Volume II

Official Complete Works

Official Complete Works

Official Complete Works

Official Complete Works

Official Complete Works

Official Complete Works

Official Design Works

Official Design Works

Official Design Works

Official Design Works

Official Design Works

Heroines Visual Book

Heroines Visual Book

Artworks

Official Complete Works

Official Design Works

Official Artworks

Design Works

Collection of Visual Materials

Official Design Works

New Legends of Project Soul

Artworks

The Characters[15]

Design Archive

World Artworks

Complete Artworks

The Art Book

NotesOut of print.

Work for other companies

Video games

Comics

Misc

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: December 12, 2017 . [Comic Book News] UDON Entertainment to Release Hardcover Graphic Novel CASA NOSTRA by Chris Sarracini & Nick Kilislian ]. April 4, 2022 . PopCultHQ . en-us.
  2. Web site: Devil's Due & Udon Entertainment Announce Partnership . April 4, 2022 . toynewsi.com.
  3. Web site: Book Review: Udon's Art of Capcom Parka Blogs . June 3, 2022 . www.parkablogs.com.
  4. Web site: Goldstein . Hilary . August 31, 2005 . Street Fighter Turns Graphic . April 4, 2022 . IGN . en.
  5. Web site: Erik Ko & Ken Siu-Chong On The Return Of Street Fighter . Newsarama . September 12, 2010.
  6. Web site: "New Street Fighter Comics!" press release, Dec 11, 2007 . Udonentertainment.com . December 11, 2007 . September 12, 2010.
  7. Web site: UDON does Street Fighter IV comics.
  8. Web site: UDON announces Final Fight comics.
  9. Web site: Darkstalkers comics are back!.
  10. Web site: Ibuki joins the fight!. UDON Entertainment. December 8, 2009 .
  11. Web site: SDCC 2024: Udon Entertainment Announces Acquisition of Mega Man Comic Book License . 2024-08-11 . Gaming . en.
  12. Web site: March 20, 2021. Street Fighter: Back to School Special Announced for Free Comic Book Day. April 2, 2021. CBR. en-US.
  13. http://store.udonentertainment.com/products/mega-man-mastermix-volume-1-robot-rebellion?_pos=2&_sid=3d29b3c82&_ss=r Mega Man Mastermix Volume 1 TP: Robot Rebellion
  14. http://store.udonentertainment.com/products/mega-man-mastermix-volume-2-asteroid-blues?_pos=1&_psq=mastermix&_ss=e&_v=1.0&variant=30400393511008 Mega Man Mastermix Volume 2 TP: Asteroid Blues
  15. Web site: Ressler . Karen . Udon Ent. to Release 2 The Legend of Heroes Art Books in N. America . Anime News Network . August 4, 2022.